2-969-750 - /Heritage Images

Alouchta - from a sketch by Willibald Richter, 1856. '...a town situated on the southern shore of [the Crimean] peninsula...Its situation, in a wide and fertile valley, at nearly the centre of the southern coast, must always have rendered it an important place, although the only mention of it in ancient times is with reference to the castle built here by Justinian, the remains of which are to be seen on a little hill near the seashore. The ancient town of Alouchta was built in front of the fort on the right bank of the river Oulou Ouzene, but the place is now deserted and covered with the wild vine and tamarisk...The churches are nearly as large as those of Kherson...Alouchta is the limit between the eastern and the western coast, which are great rivals for public favour. There can, however, be no doubt that in remarkable scenery and romantic beauty the western coast has greatly the advantage'. From "Illustrated London News", 1856.